Clip holder for playing cards and the like



Dec. 31, 1957 F. s. NANNA. 2,818,262

CLIP HOLDER FORPLAYING CARDS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 24, 1955 ,-miiiii'iiiWW.

INVE TOR. fi'arzkf cmrza,

United States Patent CLIP HOLDER FOR PLAYING CARDS AND THE LIKE Frank S. Nanna, San Pedro, Calif.

Application January 24, 1955, Serial No. 483,640

3 Claims. (Cl. 273-150) This invention relates to a clip holder for playing cards and the like, and more particularly to such a device that will enable a player conveniently and effectively to handle various numbers of playing cards which would constitute a hand during the course of games played with cards.

In many card games it is necessary for the player to hold, as a hand, a considerable number of cards, and it is desirable to be able to have those cards retained in an effectively fanned position in order for the player to observe the value and denomination of each card, thereby to analyze the strength of his hand and play the respective cards held therein to his benefit. In most instances the plurality of cards necessary are such that the holding thereof by the player is a burdensome, tiresome, and difficult chore, and often distracts from the interest which would normally be had in the game if it were possible for the player to conveniently retain his cards. Accordingly,- the primary object of this invention is the provision of a clip holder for playing cards which conveniently is retained by the human hand and is of such specific curvature as to rest between the palm and thumb thereof, as well as being of such curvature that it will positively retain a single card or a plurality of cards effectively and conveniently for the observation and playing thereof.

A further object of this invention to be hereinafter described in full, clear, concise, and exact terms is to provide a unitary clip holder structure wherein the resilient characteristic of the material used, coupled with the specific configuration of the cooperation portions of the device, enable the player conveniently and effectively to handle a single card or plurality of cards, so that when the cards are once arranged in the clip holder they will remain in the desired position until the playing of the hand is completed or until it is necessary to rearrange the association of the cards remaining, thus relieving the player of the strenuous and burdensome process of constantly holding, arranging, and rearranging his hand.

It is another object of this invention to provide a unitary clip holder structure which is of specific configuration to cause it conveniently and comfortably to rest and be retained in the palm of the hand of the person using the device for holding a hand of cards.

As another object, this invention comprehends the provision of a device of the type described which is constructed from a single unitary piece of material, so that the device is inexpensive to manufacture, strong and durable in construction, effective in function, easily manipulated, aesthetic in appearance, practical, and efficient in operation.

My invention has for a further object the provision of a curvature and structure for a clip holder which will retain cards inserted therein in a laterally bowed position similar to that produced when cards are held by a human hand, thereby effecting retention of the cards while minimizing wear to the cards as a result of the use of the clip holder.

The invention has for a further object the provision of a clip holder of the type described herein and having means which provide that the cards may be easily and quickly inserted therein and removed therefrom during the playing of the game without disturbing the cards next adjacent to the card being played and immediately associated therewith.

Additionally, my invention has within its purview the provision of a clip holder for playing cards which is provided with finger engageable retaining means of specific configuration and adapted to engage the fingers of a users hand to retain and position the clip holder during use.

Other objects, features, and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of my clip type holder, with the operative position in the users hand and a retained plurality of playing cards depicted in dot-and-dash lines;

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view taken substantially on a line 22 of Fig. 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of my clip type holder showing a card in broken lines which is effectively retained thereby in playing position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of my clip type holder;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of a modified form of my clip type holder, having a finger gripping attachment;

Fig. 6 is a view of the modified form of my clip type holder taken as indicated by a line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and accompanying arrows, and wherein the fingers of a hand are illustrated in broken lines; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the modified clip holder illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, with parts thereof shown in dotted lines.

Attention is now directed to the drawing wherein like characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views. Initially, specific reference is made to the clip type holder illustrated in Figs. l-4, wherein my clip type holder is generally designated by the reference numeral 10, and comprises a unitary structure of resilient material which may be sheet metal, spring steel, plastic, fiber or the like, or other material which has shape-retaining stiffness accompanied by resilience. The material used may be appropriately and effectively colored or decorated if desired. The clip holder It) has a main body or backing plate portion 12, a secondary body or front clip portion 14, and a connecting portion 16, intermediate the main body or backing plate portion 12 and the secondary body or front clip portion 14 and integrally connecting the two portions 12 and 14 together. The connecting portion 16 is formed by reversely bending back into a return loop upon itself the unitary structure, as shown at 18, providing a resilient or springy relationship between the main body or backing plate portion 12 and the secondary body or front clip portion 14%, The resilient or springy connection between the two portions 12 and 14, by reason of the reversely bent section 18 of the connecting portion 16, provides the resilience and clip type holding characteristics of my card holder. It should be noted that the connecting portion 16 is integral with and centrally located laterally of the lower edge 20 of the main body or backing portion 12, so that when cards C are inserted in the clip type holder 10 between the portions 12 and 14 thereof, the connecting position 16 prevents the cards from being inserted too far and provides a stop although the cards are gripped at a position spaced above the stop.

It should also be noted that the secondary body or front clip portion 14 is disposed in opposed relationship to the mid-portion, and intermediate the longitudinal edges 22 of the main body or backing plate portion 12, and extends longitudinally thereof, terminating below the upper lateral edge 24.

Having. reference to. Fig. 3,. it may be, obscured thatv the main body or backing plate portion 12 is bent or bowed laterally to provide a curvature thereto which extends longitudinally throughout the full= extent: ofi the. main: body or backing plate portion. 12. Further, the

longitudinal edgesv 22. of the main body on backing; platesimilar to longitudinal marginal surfaces 26, thereby af fording smooth card engaging surfaces. and facilitating the ease of inserting cards between thefront and back portions of the clip type holder without marring the cards. It may also be observedithat the lateral curvature of the main. body or backing plate portion 12 is; such that it rests conveniently Within. the palm of ahand H, as shown in Fig. l. The lateral curvature of the main body or backing plate portion 12' iscornpl'ementary to the curvature which the fingers of the hand- H have whenin a relaxed card playing position in order that the clip type holder ltlwill be comfortably held when positioned in the palm of hand H and will not be uncomfortable to the player when in such position of use. Such configuration not only insures that the clip holder willcomfortably rest in the palm of a, hand H; but also that it will provide means for effecting a fiexure or bow to a single card. or a plurality of cards C, placed between the main body or backing plate portion 12 and the secondary or front clip portion 14. The smooth reverse curvature of surfaces 26 and 28 of the longitudinal edges 22 and the upper lateral edge 24 provide for easy entrance and withdrawal of the cards C relative to the clip type holder 10.

The secondary body portion 14 is integrally secured to the lower lateral edge of the bowed main body or backing plate portion 12 by the return bentresilient loop connecting portion 16, thus disposing thesecondary body or clip portion 14 in a normally spaced and opposed relationship to the main body or backing plate portion 12, so that a single card or a plurality of playing cards C fanned out for observation may be readily placed and adequately gripped between the longitudinally disposed curved marginal surfaces 26 and laterally disposed curved peripheral surface 23 of the backing plate portion 12 and a smoothly curved convex surface 3% of the front clip It should be observed that the front clip portion 14 is of concavo-convex configuration with theportion 14.

convexsurface 36 facing the main body or backingplate portion 12 and normally positioned by the resilient connecting portion 16 so that the face 30 has its apex disposed inwardly of the plane XX (Fig. 3) in which the longitudinally disposed smoothly curved surfaces 25 lie.

Further, it may be observed that the apex of the face is disposed laterally between the longitudinal edges 22 and extends longitudinally along the center thereof. This particular location of the convex face 30 provides. that any card C which is inserted into the clipholder 10- will be retained therein by having the card C bent longitudinally inwardly between engagement of the convex surface 30 with the face of the card C and the back of the card engaged by the smooth longitudinally disposed surfaces 26 of the edges 22, as well as by laterally dis posed curved surface 2%; of the edge 24 of the main body or backing plate portion 12.

Further, the front clip portion 14 is of smaller area than the main body or backing plate portion 12, and the specific location of the convex face 30 provides that the peripheral edge 32 thereof is spacedfrom the. longitudinal edges 22' and the upper lateral edge 24 of the main body or backing plate portion 12, whereby ease and convenience of insertion and withdrawal of the cards C is af' tented. Such disncsincn. f. he. bndsi n r icns 2. and.

14, particularly as accompanied by the resilience of the connecting portion 16, assures that the cards C, whether a single card or a plurality of cards, will be held and retained in position in the card holder. Further, the smooth curvatures of the surfaces 26 and 28 of the longitudinal edges 20 and upper laterah edge 24 respectively, and the convex, surface. 30, provide for easy insertion and withdrawal of any single card or group of cards, whether less than all or the total thereof. Further, the resiliency of the connectingportion L6; suchthat the: cards C will be retained within thelclip holder should the, player. desire to close his hand or lay it on the table for any-purpose. In addition theismooth surfaces: 261 and 28 of the edges 22 and 24, and the convex surface face 30, provide for ease in manipulation and repositioning of the cards within the hand during the playing of the game.

It may. be: bserved ha he secondaryhody r clip Portion 14. has an u etsurfaee n face-34 at; censane onfig ti n to promote se nd. comf rt. for g pp engagement: by. the thumb. of the: user shand: It will appearobvions: from the inspection of the, accompanying: drawing. that: the. main. body portion; of the back platesportioni 12 is; of considerably larger size,. both,

transversely: and longitudinally-,, than the secondary portion 1'41 The; advantageso gainedby' such: size relation.- ship: between; the; portions; is; that the main body or back;- plate ncrtion'..12:ac s; as: a backingvand support for thecards; C and: thatthe secondary body portion 14 acts as, the; clip: and; holding element which holds the cards against the; main,- bodyor backing plate portion 12, and.

effectsretainingflexure of the g ipped cards by" reason of the particular position and; disposition. of the ap of the QQIIMQX: face. 3.0,. stated: above, which is: disposed in wardly: of: the: plane between the longitudinal marginal s rfaces; 26) in; the. natural and; unbiased: position of the. portions: 12: and- 14, as shown in; Fig. 3-.

Reference. is nnw made, to the. modification of my. clipholder which. is disclosedin Figs. 5, 6 and; 7' of the accompanying drawings, wherein reference numerals bearing prime marks indicate parts: corresponding to the. unprimect reference numerals; of the; embodiment shown in Figs. L4.

The. structure; which institutes the disclosure of the modification is: the addition to the clipholder 10' (previously: described;)a.- of? a finger-held grip structure designat'ed generally as 36 This finger-held grip 36 com-- prisesa ri'gid' bar- 38 which extends rearwardly from and is disposed substa'intially-- normal to the back surface of the main body 12fl Thefinger-held grip 36-is construct ed and shaped so that the bar 38' is conveniently held between a pair of adjacent fingers on one hand. A cross piece 40 is secured to. the outer end of the bar 38 and is disposed substantially normal thereto and lies in a general plane whichis substantially parallel to the main body orback-ing plate 12".

As shown in Fig. 6, the cross piece 40 has a longitudinal inward curvature adjacent its respective ends 42 and such curvature provides that the; cross piece 40 maybe engaged by thebacks of fingers F, thereby to act as a; retaining element for positioning the clip holder 10' in a desirable position m the palm of a: hand H'. By reference to Fig; 5, it may be noted that the bar 38, shown by dotted lines therein, is relatively fiat and is secured to the back of main: body or backing plate 12 so that the disposition thereof in respect to the edges of the backing plate portion of the clip is on an angle tothe vertical; i. e the general plane of the bar 38is disposed at an acute angle to the longitudinal edges 22" of the back of the main body or backing plate portion 12'; The angle of such securement provides that the bar 38' will be conveniently and comfortably received between the fingers F (note Fig. 6) when the clip type holder 10" has a naturalnpright position in the hand" H as indicated in Fig. 1'. Normally a card players hand H, when in a playing position, has the longitudinal axes of the fingers inclined to the vertical position of clip type holder The average angle at which the axes of the fingers are inclined to the vertical determines the angle at which the rigid bar 38 is positioned on the back of the main body or backing plate 12'.

The cross piece 40 of the finger grip 36, in the disclosed structure, is of substantially X configuration in plan view, as shown in Fig. 5. The lateral extensions alford ample room for securement to the end of the bar 38 and are shaped to provide smooth con-tours. Also, the lateral dimension of the bar 38 is large enough to prevent the clip type holder 10' from tilting when it is positioned in the players hand H, as well as to make the gripping thereof between the fingers a natural procedure. The clip disclosed in Figs. 5-7 is for use on the left hand, and it may be noted that in order to provide a clip type holder for playing cards which would be adapted to use in the right hand of a user, all that is necessary is for the bar 38 to be secured to the back of the main body portion 12' substantially at 90 to the position shown in Fig. 5.

Having thus described and disclosed my invention it will be understood that obvious modifications other than those illustrated in the drawings may be resorted to within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A clip type holder for playing cards and the like and comprising, in combination, a backing plate portion and a front clip portion resiliently and integrally secured together in face-to-face and normally spaced relationship by a substantially U-shaped connecting portion adjoined to the mid-portions of the lower edges of the backing plate and connecting portions, said backing plate portion having its mid-portion curved only in a lateral plane to provide a longitudinally linear concave front surface portion facing toward the clip portion and having top, bottom and side marginal portions curved to provide convexly curved front surface portions at tht edge regions of the backing plate portion, said front clip portion being laterally and longitudinally bowed to provide a convex surface facing toward the backing plate portion, and the front clip portion having a normal position in which the convex surface of the front clip portion is intersected by a plane tangent to the convexly curved front surface portions at the side marginal edge regions of the backing plate portion.

2. A clip type holder for playing cards and the like as defined in claim 1 and wherein the front clip portion has side and top edges which are normally on the side of said plane tangent to the convexly curved front surfaces of the backing plate portion opposite from the backing plate portion.

3. A clip type holder for playing cards and the like as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by a finger engageable supporting means secured to and projecting rearwardly from the backing plate portion, said supporting means including a relatively flat stern portion of substantial width and relatively thin section disposed in substantially normal relationship to the lower mid-portion of the backing plate portion with the relatively flat surfaces thereof in acute angular relationship to the side and end edges of the backing plate portions, and a cross piece secured intermediate its ends to the end of said stem portion remote from the backing plate portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,696,647 Sander et a1. Dec. 25, 1928 1,881,632 Johannessen Oct. 11, 1932 2,102,220 Richardson Dec. 14, 1937 2,231,637 Ramos Feb. 11, 1941 2,277,866 LeSage Mar. 31, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 14,574 Great Britain 1889 325,379 Germany Sept. 13, 1920 

